Latest Area News Headlines

WORTHINGTON – When Rep. Rod Hamilton called Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh last week to say he had just been informed the House had pulled the Lewis and Clark funding from their bonding bill, Oberloh was shocked. He had spoken to Rep. Alice Hausman, Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, less than 24 hours beforehand, and had been assured that the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Funding was still in the bill.

“Then Rep. Hamilton called and he’s madder than a hornet,” Oberloh stated. “I think it’s pretty safe to assume there are games being played.”

WORTHINGTON - Large hail and isolated tornadoes were reported throughout the area Thursday, with a confirmed tornado near St. James.

The storms in southwest Minnesota produced hail that ranged in size from that of peas to quarters and in some instances even golf balls. The hail fell in Beaver Creek, Edgerton, Windom and Pipestone and many places in between.

PIPESTONE - Pipestone Area Schools is considering spending an estimated $370,000 on new tennis courts later this year to replace courts north of the middle/high school that are no longer usable.

WORTHINGTON - Jeff Rotert is the new Worthington Regional Health Care Foundation executive director. Currently the chief operating officer at Sanford Worthington Medical Center, he will start in the new position June 2.

Foundation board chair Paula Chapulis said Rotert was chosen from 18 applicants for the executive director spot, and that he has the background, the ability, and the versatility of knowledge required to take the foundation to the next level.

WORTHINGTON — Alex Tang, a Worthington High School senior, took first place in Microsoft Office User Specialist in...

WORTHINGTON — Unionized employees at JBS voted Tuesday to authorize a strike after 10 months of contract negotiations have failed to reach agreement in key areas involving health care and wages for workers at the Worthington plant.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1161 hosted meetings for more than seven hours Tuesday with production and maintenance workers who represent roughly 90 percent of the local pork processing facility’s workforce. The result of those group meetings led to a unanimous vote to strike if necessary.

WORTHINGTON – Work on the lining of the trunk sanitary sewer system on Eighth Avenue and Ninth Street is scheduled to begin today, according to the Worthington Engineering Department. Motorist are asked to proceed with caution and watch for construction workers.

Water main reconstruction work continues on Nobles Street from Highway 60 toward Woodcrest Avenue.

LUVERNE – Two Beaver Creek men have been arrested in connection with a burglary at the Hill’s Bar. Charges have been filed in Rock County District Court against 26-year-old Tony Fluit and 30-year-old Shane Hultgren....

ST. PAUL – Rep. Rod Hamilton is asking for the help of all southwestern Minnesotans. According to Hamilton, Rep. Alice Hausman, Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, approached him on Friday to tell him there is not enough money to fund the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System in the upcoming bonding bill.

“I was absolutely floored,” Hamilton said. “In essence, she threw us under the bus.”

Rep. Joe Schomacker and Hamilton, along with Sen. Bill Weber, have championed the cause of Lewis and Clark, working tirelessly to get the money needed to bring the pipeline into...

AM 730 KWOA and the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa are proud to present: Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadian with Al Pierson!

This performance is slated for Tuesday, September 9 at 2 p.m. in the Clay County Regional Events Center Ballroom.

“Dancing the afternoon away to one of the most famous big bands in the world will be a true delight on Senior Day,” said CCF Manager Jeremy Parsons. “The air-conditioned ballroom at the Events Center will be the perfect site for the event.”

Founded in 1919, Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians is the longest running dance...

ARNOLD’S PARK, Iowa - Citing circumstances beyond his control, the Mayor of Arnolds Park resigned Friday afternoon, effective immediately. Meeting in special session late Friday, the city council voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mike Mitchell and started to look at options for a successor. City Administrator Ron Walker says the council is intending to appoint someone to fill the position.

Walker says the council intends to make the appointment at its regular meeting May 14th. Prior to that, council members are being asked to bring names of residents interested in the...

WORTHINGTON – The Worthington Police Department is investigating a murder-suicide that occurred Friday evening at the Crossroads Care Center on McMillan Street in Worthington.

According to Police Chief Mike Cumiskey, officers responded at 9:55 p.m. to a report of gunshots fired in a private room at the facility. They found 87-year-old George Doust sitting on a bed with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. In an adjacent bed was Crossroads Care Center resident Doris Doust, also with a gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was recovered in the room.

JACKSON -- The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is on the lookout for a stolen 2000 Bobcat CT 235 utility tractor. The machine, along with an attached front loader, was reported missing from the Loon Lake Golf Course on April 30. It was allegedly removed from a shed at the golf course. Owners and deputies followed tracks on township roads leading them into Iowa at the intersection of 210th Avenue and Highway 9 west of Spirit Lake, Iowa, where the trail was lost. The sheriff’s office requests anyone with information regarding this theft to call 847-4420.